My Top 10 favorite Bad Guys Turned Good

In movies and TV shows, character development isn’t limited to just the heroes. Villain’s in particular have a tendency to steal the show, but personally my favorite kind of villain is one who goes through a reformation story. One that starts off as evil as can be, then has a change of heart, proving redemption is possible and completes a personal story arch. It’s one of the best feelings that a movie or TV show can convey when we see sworn enemies become close friends, and here are my personal top 10 favorite bad guys turned good.

#10. John Silver from Disney’s “Treasure Planet” 

John Silver from the classic Novel Treasure Island has always been a staple in the line of complex villains, and it this portal from Disney’s adaption that always stuck with me the most. At first he’s just a greedy pirate that’s only concerned with getting treasure, but then he meets our lead hero named Jim Hawkins, and things begin to change. John Silver begins to take the place of a father that was never there for Jim, and even teaches him some good moral values. Then we see John Silver struggling between his obsession of getting his hands on the gold and honestly wanting to help Jim with his personal problems. He see’s in Jim the young man he used to be and genuinely wants to help Jim make a good future for himself instead of wasting it on greed like he has. This makes John Silver a more dimensional character than most of Disney’s classic villain’s and his reformation at the end is about as touching as they get.  

#9 The Grinch from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” 

He was as cuddly as a cactus, as charming as an eel, and the biggest monster that would stop at nothing to ruin everyone’s favorite holiday, just for the sake of being nasty. Of course he reaches an epiphany in the end and realizes just how wrong he was in judging the holiday and those who celebrate it. Seeing this miserable creature open up to the light of Christmas is simply one of the warmest feel good moments I’ve ever seen any character go through, and it makes him a more then welcome addition for my countdown.  

#8 Doctor Octopus from “Spider-Man 2” 

The Spider-Man series has had several touching tails of hero’s turned good including Harry Osborn’s reformation in “Spider-man 3” and even Venoms reformation in the animated Spider-Man series from the 90’s. But the most touching and memorable in my opinion is that of Doctor Octopus from “Spider-Man 2”. He did all the evil things you’d associate with an super villain, but somewhere deep down is a good scientist with a continence, and one willing to give his own life to save the city from the very dooms day weapon he created. It’s really the subtlety of this villain’s transformation that really gets to me. Before making his big sacrifice play, he and Spider-Man exchange a look which just sums up every “I’m sorry for what I’ve done” and “Thank you for saving me” all at once, and I personally think it’s one of the most powerful moments of the series.    

#7 Megamind from DreamWorks “Megamind” 

He was once a super villain that did every sinister thing a super villain could do, and worse, right down to killing the superhero who protects the city from evil. Once the city belongs to him, he realizes that he losses a part of himself, and when he unintentionally creates a new super villain who's even worse, Megamind has more than a change of heart, he has a serious change of character as he takes the place of a superhero. It’s a change of heart story that’s every bit as touching as it is clever and funny.   

#6 Apollo Creed from the “Rocky series” 

In the beginning Apollo was just an ego driven celebrity that just wanted fame, attention and the chance to humiliate his boxing rival Rocky Balboa. However, over the course of the series, Apollo has more than a change of attitude, he actually begins to respect Rocky so much that he becomes the boxer’s new instructor, personal continence and lifelong friend. It’s one of the most touching and downright cheerful tails of enemy turned ally, and more then fitting for this countdown. 

     

#5 Scrooge from “A Christmas Carol” 

No matter which version you go by, the story of Ebenezer Scrooge is one of the most enduring and downright heartwarming redemption tails of all time. This grumpy old miser just couldn’t get into the spirit of the holiday and made sure that everyone was just as miserable as her was. Through some serious soul searching from his past, present and future he was finally able to let the warmth of the holiday touch his soul, and everyone turned out better for it. It’s such a timeless tail, with a rich message and one of the most famous literary characters of all time.

#4 Magneto from the “X-Men Franchise” 

Villains don’t get any better than Magneto, he’s a formidable opponent with an awesome power but beyond all of that, this is a very special kind of villain that honestly believes he’s doing the right thing and that these are the actions that all his fellow mutants should be doing. It doesn’t justify what he does but it makes you except the fact that there are no limits to the things he can do, get away with and why he doses them. However, he’s also one of the phew villains who doesn’t hate his adversaries, in fact it tares him up inside to go to war against some of his closest friends. So when he finally abides by the rules of “if you can’t beat them join them”, it makes for a very special reunion between long lost friends. The resent movie “X-Men: Days of future Past” is the perfect example of how whiling he was to follow the X-Men and their cause just to be there at the side of his closest friend Professor X. In both the animated TV series and many of the comics, Magneto has been depicted as taking over leadership of the X-Men after the fall of Professor X, just to ensure the his friends legacy and goals didn’t die with him. 

  

#3 The T-800 Terminator from the “Terminator Franchise” 

One of cinemas most legendary villains turned hero comes in the form of a robotic assassin with a strong sense of humanity. In the original, the T-800 had one mission in life, and that was to mercilessly kill anyone that was a threat to his future in which robots dominated the world. But then in the sequel, this violent cyborg discovered the value of human life, become a father figure to the young boy he was supposed to kill, and in the tradition of any hero, he valiantly gives up his life for the good of all man kind ... now that’s what you call a bad guy turned good.   

#2 Darth Vader from the “Star Wars” franchise 

Like I even need to go into much detail about Darth Vader. For three movies strait, he was the galaxy’s greatest threat, then turned a new leaf and ultimately saved the whole universe at large while sacrificing his own life in the process. His transformation from good to evil is still one of the greatest story arc’s in film history, and one that still touches audiences on a deep and meaningful level. I really don’t think I need to say any more, I mean come on ... it’s Darth Vader.  
  

Before I reveal my Number 1 pick, here are my Honorable mentions ... 

Quicksilver & Scarlet Witch from "Avengers: Age of Ultron"
Diago from "Ice Age"
Terra from "Teen Titans" 
Snape from "The Harry Potter series" 
Fletcher Reed from "Liar Liar"

Now I could have easily put either Darth Vader, Magneto or the Terminator in the #1 spot, as their all disserving of it, but that would have also been really predictable, so I’m giving the honorable #1 spot to a lesser known character who deserves the honor just as much as any of the previous characters, and here he is ...  

#1 Prince Zuko from “Avatar the Last Air Bender” 

 Taking the top spot on my list is one of my favorite animated characters of all time, from one of the greatest TV shows of all time. Prince Zuko is the main antagonist of the first season of “Avatar: The Last Air Bender”, and was a bad as they got as he pursued the shows hero’s in an effort to hunt down and kill “The Chosen One”. His soul reasoning is to restore his honor after a mistake that forced him to be exiled from his family. While I’ve seen tragic villains before, there’s so much more substance and intrigue that goes into this character. He dose bad things but with honorable intentions instead of greed, and throughout the show we see him go through some huge changes. In season two he becomes an anti hero who just needs to find his place in the world while also battling his personal demons that corrupt his soul. Then in season 3 he becomes a hero who gradually gains friendship among our hero’s. Watching this banished prince go from menacing villain, to anti hero, to champion has been an awesome experience, and I just loved watching him slowly gain acceptance and friendship among the shows team of protagonists. It’s one of the shows biggest highlights, and one of the most captivating stories of evil turned good I’ve ever seen.

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Mad Max (1979) (Movie Review)

  When it comes to long-running Sci-Fi franchises, I find the "Mad Max" series to be one of the most unique and original. They have a distinct look, tone, and personality that sets them apart from other genera franchises. It's also one of the oldest Sci-Fi series, and as of now, their consistently the work of writer and director George Miller. The original 1979 "Mad Max" also launched the carrier of it's leading star Mel Gibson, making this film amusing to look back on, and see the young actor before his more famous roles in the decades to come. Being honest for a moment ... I've never called myself a fan of the first 1979 picture "Mad Max", and am far more fond of the franchise that followed after. In my mind, I view the 1981 sequel "The Road Warrior" as the real Sci-Fi/action classic that Mad Max's legacy stems from. With that said ... neither the sequel or the series would be here without that first film ... and it did just enough credible things on it's own that I feel it's worth looking back on. 

  Our movie is set in Australia, in an un-labeled, not to distant dystopian future. Most of the Outback has been reduced to low-populated communities, with minimal fuel and small towns, but many people seem to be living peacefully. The only problem is a gang of psychotic motorcycle riding serial killers called The Acolytes, who dominate the streets, and terrorize all innocent civilians in their path. The only thing that stands in their way is the Main Force Patrol, which is all that remains of law and justice in the country. The best man on the job is none other than Mad Max, who always cleans up the street. One day he goes too far, and is responsible for the death of a lead gang member, to which the Acolytes respond to with vengeance. Soon, officers of the MFP are becoming targets, and Max himself gets it the worst as the gang members kill his wife and infant child. Full of rage and vengeance, Max takes to the street as the Road Warrior, to hunt down and eliminate the Acolytes once and for all.

  That may sound like a short synopsis of the films set-up, but surprise ... it’s actually the bulk of the movie. Max doesn’t even suit up to take vengeance until the final 15 minutes or so of the film. For me, it always felt like a pilot episode for a TV series that never happened. The majority of the movie spends most of its time with the villains doing their awful and curl acts to innocent people, while building-up to Max’s inevitable tragedy that turns him into the Road Warrior. Like I said, once our hero goes off the rail, he very quickly gets his revenge, and the film stops rather abruptly, without even an epilogue. You could say this film is all set-up, while the sequels are all about the journey ... but with that said, I always wondered ... this film has the benefit of those sequels, but would it hold-up on it's own without them? There are certainly some highlights in this first film, including some top-tear road stunts, and a fair amount of tension. The slow build-up to the demise of Max’s family was pulled-off very effectively, and we do feel a dynamic change from where we first meet hero, and the anti-hero he becomes at the end of the film. 

  The best scene of all is the opening car chase, which puts you in the mind-set that you’re going to be watching a fast paced thrill ride of a movie. No joke, the car crashes and driving choreography in this opening is a real spectacle, and it’s shot beautifully. While it may seem a touch generic by today’s standards, it was still an impressive feat of over the top stunt work, and vehicle destruction for the late 1970's. The opening chase also serves as a great introduction to our main character, as he spends most of the time acting all chill while listening to the chase progress on his radio. Then when everyone else fails to do their jobs, Max goes out riding to get the job done, which is easily his coolest moment of the film. There really aren’t too many note worth action scenes after this, as the rest of the film focuses on establishing mood and tension. 

  I suppose I should talk about the character himself, who quickly became the archetype for most action characters of this sort. Max is a guy who questions his humanity, and fears that he’s becoming too much like the villains he’s battling. Unfortunately, the issue isn’t brought up much, and once he becomes the Road Warrior, he pretty much just throws all humanity out the window, and becomes a vengeful psycho path. It’s a formula that I just find all too familiar, and conveyed more effectively in other popular characters. Aside from the opening scene, I honestly didn’t even find Max to be that much of a "tough guy", at least until the sequels. He’s played by a now unrecognizable Mel Gibson, back when he was a young and more respected actor. He plays the role of Max well, but I never felt he really left an impression as this character until later down the road. I think it was more the novelty of the film that made this a highlight in his carrier, rather than a stirring performance that deserves acclaim.  

        

  I will say that Director George Miller is on top of his craft when directing this film. He definitely knows how to shoot a car chase, as well as create an uncomfortable atmosphere for this dystopian setting. Aside from all the “Mad Max” sequels, George Miller is best known for directing and writing family movies like “Happy Feet” and “Babe”, which is personally one of my favorite childhood gems of all time, so he’s undeniably a talented and versatile filmmaker. I also have to admire the subtlety of this apocalyptic future the film creates. Most movies with this type of setting go all-out with demolished cities, and fields of dead bodies, with rows of skulls everywhere, but this film is very different. In fact, it’s probably the cleanest and tidiest looking apocalyptic future ever captured on film. If you just caught a glimpse of this film on TV, you’d probably just assume it takes place in some generic outback area instead of a dystopian future. It wouldn't be until the next film that we'd get the more recognizable staples of the deserts, and armored land vehicles.   

          

  Whenever I review a critically acclaimed film like this, I always do my best to point out the positives, but unfortunately, I do still have my reservations with this film. I obviously don’t care for the structure of the plot, and there’s very little about the overall experience that makes it worthwhile for me. Other films like “Robocop”, "First Blood", “The Terminator” and “Die Hard” have their fair share of over the top violence and action bonanzas, but I also feel like there’s more substance to those films, structure to the narrative, and even characters, which balances everything out. Also, I personally can’t stand the villains in this movie. While the Acolytes are functional as threatening bad guys, I also feel their way too over the top, and cartoony, to the point where their more irritating then menacing. Obviously, I get that their crazy, a result from their end-of-the-world living-conditions, but still, there's only so much of their shouting and boasting that I can stomach. Lastly, like I established earlier ... I'm really not a fan of the ending, which just seems to stop the movie on a dime. Seriously, after montaging its way through the climax, the film comes to a sudden stop, which always leaves me wondering what the heck I just sat through.   

  Unsurprisingly, the film received mixed feelings upon it's initial release, has been reevaluated in the time sense, and is now celebrated as a minor classic in it's own right. I'm certainly fond of the franchise as a whole, but the 1979 original has yet to connect with me as anything special. I certainly don’t hate it, I just don’t care to watch it. It has its fare share of improbable car stunts and crashes that were very impressive for the time and still cool to see, but I can’t say that the experience as a whole really works for me. Despite it's colorful and cleaner environment, I'd argue this is thematically the darkest, blackest and most depressing film of the series ... which is probably why it has fans. It's not a movie that played things safe or had a conventional narrative, which more then anything gave this film a unique voice, and led to the series have such an original personality over other Sci-Fi pictures with apocalyptic settings. In the end, the original "Mad Max" won't be a movie for everyone ... it's never really been one for me ... but it has earned it's place in the history books of Sci-Fi cinema, is different enough to be memorable, and more then anything launched a great franchise, that's still going strong decades later.      

Thanks for reading my review of the 1979 Sci-Fi picture “Mad Max” ... and continue to enjoy the movies you Love!        

           

Dance Scenes in Non-Dancing related Movies (My Top 10 Favorites)

With energetic music, sharp choreography and maybe even subtle character interaction, who doesn’t love a good dance number? Well ... I obviously love dance scenes from movies. I love the energy, I love the style, I love the music, so why not celebrate this art with a countdown. However, there’s going to be a little twist to this list because I’m counting down my top 10 personal favorite dance scenes from movies that have absolutely nothing to do with dance or music. Their completely out of the blue, but just as entertaining as any classic dance number from a real musical.

10. “Anything Goes” from “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” 

Those of you familiar with the Indiana Jones series know that the second installment titled “Temple of Doom” is the darkest and most sinister entry in the series, with the most disturbing imagery, scariest segments and harshest tone. So what could possibly be a more fitting way to open this film then a Broadway Style musical number that looks more fitting for something like “Singing in the Rain”. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an opening segment more out of place and tone then this opening song number titled “Anything Goes”, but that’s why it’s so brilliant. It’s the perfect bait and switch. It also serves as a proper introduction for the films lead heroin, and despite being so random and out of place with the overall tone of the film, it somehow just works.   
      

9. “Bustin' Surfboards” from “Pulp Fiction” 

This is probably the most famous dance scene to ever be featured in a non-dance related movie. Why then is it only at number 9, because there’s eight others that I personally like more, but that’s not going to keep me from mentioning this on my countdown. When a notorious street gangster takes his girl friend out to dinner, she decides to liven things up by participating in a small dance tournament to win a gold trophy. Of course John Travolta is well know from classic musicals like “Grease” and “Saturday Night Fever”, so it’s no surprise that he shares the stage in this scene. The strait serious faces of our dancing duo perfectly offset the songs light hearted nature and the scene itself is a subtle detour into a cheerful place before some of the characters find themselves staring at deaths door. It’s simply a memorable moment from this Quentin Tarantino classic. 

8. After Dark from “From Dusk Till Dawn” (1996)

Okay, so this particular dance number is very different, and much hotter than the others. The 1996 action horror movie “From Dusk Till Dawn” begins as a serious crime thriller, then mid way it becomes the equivalent of a drive-in monster movie. This random dance marks the transition between the two tones. With a seductive musical score, great staging, and the oh so attractive Salma Hayek leading the scene, it makes this pointless little dance scene one that’s easy to remember.


7. The Fox Chase from “Darby O' Gill and the Little People” 

Disney has given us plenty of memorable song and dance numbers from their live action musicales, but one of their absolute best dance scenes comes from their 1959 Irish fantasy “Darby O' Gill and the Little People”. While the movie isn’t devoid of songs, it’s by no means a musical like “Mary Poppins”. Never the less, the stand out dance number occurs at the close of the first act, when the title character Darby O’Gill is invited into the cave of the Leprechauns. After winning their hospitality, he treats them to some music on his violin, a piece called “The Fox Chase”. What follows is a massive dance party on a small Leprechaun scale, they pool off crazy stunts, bounce all over the place, ride leprechaun sized horses, and it’s just a really fun scene. The music is lively, the effects are unbelievable, and it’s right up there with the “Stepping Time” scene from “Mary Poppins” as one of my favorite dance numbers to be featured in a family film.

6. “Staying Alive” from “Airplane!” 

This will always be one of my favorite comedies ever, because it satirizes everything you can think of. When our lead passenger named Ted Striker has nostalgic flashbacks of when he met the girl he loves, we’re treated to a silly, energetic dance number that’s a direct spoof of “Saturday Night Fever”, right down to the white dance suit and music from the Bee Gees. The song “Staying Alive” has always been one of my personal favorites, and it’s even more fun when mixed with all the goofy comedy and over the top dance choreography that this scene provides. I would say that it’s my favorite dance parody of all time, but we’re only at number 6 on my count down, and there’s plenty of silly dance numbers on the way.   

5. Johnny B Goode from “Back to the Future” 

It’s a time honored tradition that any High School themed movie has a breakout dance number, and my personal favorite by far is Johnny B Goode from “Back to the Future”. When Marty Mcfly travels back in time and accidently prevents his parents from meeting, he has to use his sly wit and skill to get them to fall in love all over again, and his final touch to bring his parents back together involves an electric guitar and an enchanting dance. This really is one of the greatest dance numbers ever because it’s the climax of the movie, and even when Marty succeeds in getting his parents back together, he continues to rock on his guitar, as if to celebrate his triumph. That’s exactly how I’d describe this, it’s a triumphant finally with a Rock ’N good song to boot.    

4. “Dancing with Elena” from “The Mask of Zorro” 

This is just another perfect example of an adventure epic taking a little break from all the action and giving us an awesome dance number instead. When Zorro attends the party of his greatest enemy under the guise of a respectable gentleman, he takes full advantage of the situation by taking control of the dance floor and sharing a duet with his beautiful love interest Elena. This is just a really sexy scene, with excellent music, style and terrific choreography. James Horner conducted the music in this film, and his track for this dance is just the perfect variety of music to go with such spirited dancers. It’s short, it’s simple, it adds a little extra flavor to this awesome film and other adventure epics should really take notes from this.  

3. “Twist and Shout” from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” 

Ferris Bueller is the cool teenage high school dude who can get away with anything. Cheat your way out of school for a day ... check, weasel his way into an expensive restaurant under the guise of a rich guy that had reservations ... check, get on top of a parade float dancing to music from the Beatles in front of a whole city of Chicago ... check and double check. Yes, Ferris Bueller’s parade float dance is one of the best, spontaneous dance scenes ever, emphasizing how untouchable he is while getting everyone in the city to twist and shout along with him in this upbeat musicale number. It’s hard to explain why, but there’s something relentlessly cheerful about seeing all the people of Chicago join Ferris in his dance, and to this day, it still puts a big grin on my face.  

2. “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire” 

I don’t think there’s ever been a cooler way to wrap up a movie then with a fully choreographed dance sequence like this one featured at the end of the 2008 motion picture “Slumdog Millionaire”. The movie as a whole focuses on the drama and hardships of a young Indian boy who really hasn’t had the best life, but fortune smiles on him at the end when he win’s the Indian version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” and is reunited with the love of his life. The following dance number is his triumphant celebration that boasts incredible music and it’s the perfect offset to the films mostly down beat and realistic tone. Set to the Oscar Award winning song Jai Ho, this dance number serves as the Outro of the film, playing over the closing credits, but it’s the perfect high note to end the film on.

Before I revial my #1 favorite spontaneous dance number, here are my Honorable Mentions: Spontaneous dance numbers from ... 

The Jungle Book (1994)

True Lies 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1

Napoleon Dynamite

Never Say Never Again

1. “Hey! Pachuco!” From “The Mask” 

Lets wrap up my countdown with a dance number that’s positively S-S-S-S-SMOKIN! With Jim Carry’s bombastic energy, Cameron Diaz blowsy appeal, some seriously upbeat music and overall cartoony hummer, how could this not take my number one spot? The song titled “Hey! Pachuco!” was performed by Royal Crown Revue, the same talents who started the Swing Revival movement that renewed popular interest in Swing and jump blues music back in the early 90’s and late 2000’s. Of course, they hit it out of the park with this song, and everything else on display is nothing short of awesome. I love the energy, I love the angles, I love the choreography and I love the overall fun factor that’s put on MAX. This movie will always be a treasured gem from my child hood, and this is personally my favorite spontaneous dance number to be featured in a non-dance related film. 

      End

My Top 10 Favorite Romantic Songs from Animated Movies

 

Some Times romance is conveyed best through music, and animated movies always seem it hit them out of the park. For this list I’ll be counting down my personal favorite romantic songs from animated pictures, and I’ll only be looking at the songs themselves, not so much the lovers on screen, well, maybe with some exceptions.

#10 Accidentally in Love from “Shrek 2"

Here's a perfect odd romantic song for a perfect odd couple. The title sums their relation up perfectly, they did accidentally fall in love, and they couldn't be happier about it. It's also a really upbeat song, with a nice beat and the scene in the beginning of the movie offers more than enough visual hummer. It's the kind of romantic song you'd expect from an animated DreamWorks comedy, and personally I think it belongs amongst some of the best.

#9 Love Will Find a Way from "The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride"

      When it comes to "The Lion King", most people think of the song "Can you feel the Love tonight", which has gained the reputation as one of the greatest songs in the entire Disney collection. Well, that's certainly a good song, especially when sung by Elton John, however, it also felt out of place because the couple in that film was really tacked on, and personally I actually prefer the song titled "Love Will Find a Way" from the admittedly inferior but also underrated sequel. While the actual lovers in the movie were nothing that special, this song was at least in place because the movie was all about their relationship. Also, it’s just a really nice song, with a majestic score and sweet lyrics.     

#8 Kiss the Girl from "The Little Mermaid"

      Now here’s a classic Disney song that definitely earns a spot on my list. Shortly after this movie’s release it even got an Oscar nod for best original song of the year, ironically it lost the award to “Under the Sea”, so either way “The Little Mermaid” still brought home the gold. It’s interesting to note that unlike all the other Disney princess movies, the couple aren’t singing this song together, instead it’s the supporting characters that get all the credit, which is kind of refreshing. The song itself is slow and romantic, but it also carries a surprisingly upbeat tone that really livens it up. The setting is perfect, the pacing is great and the buildup is just perfect. Combine that with Allen Matkins catchy lyrics and you got yourself a classic Disney song that ranks among some of my favorite romantic songs from an animated movie.   

#7 A Whole New World from "Aladdin"

      Oh, don’t even act surprised that I included this song, you all knew it was coming. This Oscar winning song is so famous, I don’t even know what I need to say about it. Upon its release, it actually beat out Whitney Huston’s “I will always Love You”, out of the Billboards top 100 spot, and to this day, it’s still a gem. While the song is romantic enough on its own, it's the presentation with our two lovers flying trough the clods and across the sky that really makes it feel all the more magical. On a side note, I just love all the different locations in this scene, from Arabia, to Grease, to Egypt, to China, they certainly cover a lot of places in one night. Sweepingly romantic and unforgettable, “A Whole New World” has earned its status as one of Disney’s greatest songs.  

#6 Far Longer then Forever from "The Swan Princess"

      While I freely admit that the couple in this film is about a generic as animated couples get, their duet song titled “Far Longer than Forever” is still a gem from my childhood and takes a different approach than most other lover songs. This princess and prince are actually separated from each other, but their feelings for one another are still just as strong, even across thousands of miles. That’s such a unique way to have a musical duet like this and it only adds more flavor to the song. If this movie had been released under the Disney banner, this song would be put amongst some of their best musical numbers. The melody is great, the visual style is captivating, and it’s so simple, yet so uplifting that it conveys the exact same feel that most of Disney’s popular hits convey.

#5 For the Dancing and the Dreaming from "How to Train Your Dragon 2"

     

      This is perhaps the most unique romantic song number on my countdown, it’s much shorter and isn't exactly what a popular artist would put on a record, but it’s still just as touching and uplifting as anything else I’ve mentioned. This is also very special because unlike most romantic songs that always feature two good looking young adults, this one features two middle aged parents that have been reunited after several years. The peace starts nice and soft as the husband tries desperately to reconnect with his wife, and as she opens up to him again, the song really begins to liven up. The real high note that completes this scene is their sons reaction as he just takes in this moment as it’s the first time in his life he ever saw his mother and father together. It’s cheerful, with some subtle comedy thrown in, and packed with lots of genuine human emotion, which is more than enough to make this little song one of the best feel good moments I’ve experienced in an animated motion picture.   

#4 I See the Light from “Tangled”

      Here’s another great example of a romantic musical number in an animated movie that just hits all the right notes. It’s visually one of the most spectacular musical numbers I’ve ever seen, with all the lanterns floating through the sky, the reflections in the lake, the warm colors, it’s all very original, innovative and breath taking. Even without the location, it’s still a really sweet song, establishing how someone's lifelong dream came true and now a new one takes its place. I also like how the couple sings individually and through voice over at first, then gradually they begin to sing out loud together. It’s colorful, it’s unforgettable and one of the best romantic songs to come from Disney in years.  



#3 At the Beginning from "Anastasia"

     This song is every bit as sweet and wholesome as any of the previous songs listed, and it’s positively dripping with a cheerful tone and melody that never lets down. However, unlike the previous songs which were all about the beauty of the moment, this one is all about looking back at when the romantic journey started, what highlighted the experience, and where it all lead to in the end. It’s positively laced with nostalgia, and in a rare case, it’s not sung by the couple, it’s actually played over a clip montage during the end credits, which makes this a unique entry on the countdown, but a very special one all the same.        

                    

#2 If I never Knew You from "Pocahontas"

      This song is making its way in popularity but it still isn’t a house hold title like “A Whole new World”. Shame, because I think this is one of the better romantic songs to come from Disney. The melody is beautiful and it’s such a great song about what life would be like without someone you loved. The actual scene with Pocahontas and John Smith singing this was deleted from the theatrical release, but the 10th anniversary DVD addition thankfully put it back in the film. Pocahontas and John Smith were never one of my favorite Disney couples, but this song is still a personal favorite, it’s subtle and touching. Plus the final version performed by Jon Secada & Shanice is fantastic. I really hope more people discover this because it really is one of Disney’s best romantic songs.

      

   

Before I revial my #1 pick, here are some Honorable Mentions ...

Love Always Comes as a Surprise from "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted"

Love is an Open Door from "Frozen"

Ma Belle Evangeline from "The Princess and the Frog"

Looking for Romance (I Bring You a Song) from "Bambi"

Bella Notte from "Lady and the Tramp"

Jack and Sally duet from "The Nightmare Before Christmas"

#1 Beauty and the Beast (song) from "Beauty and the Beast"

      This is hands down the definitive romantic song, and easily one of the greatest songs to come from Disney. It has such a simple melody combined with a beautiful theme, and matched to an unforgettable scene with the two lead characters dancing in a ballroom. I can’t think of another musical number as touching, or as enduring as this one, and even to this day, it still warms me up inside. Belle and Beast always seemed to represent the greatest couple to ever be featured in a Disney movie, and it only figures that they’d get a timeless song to go with them. There’s also several other great renditions of this song, including the recent version performed by Jordon Sparks and I especially love the duet version performed by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson. Whatever version you listen to, it’s still a timeless gem and the greatest romantic song to ever be featured in an animated movie. 

            The End